Binder for loose sheets.



Patented Aug. 2|, 1900.

61 How/c134 T NOBLE BINDER FOR LOOSE SHEETS. A lication filed Sept. 30,1899.) (No Model.)

.UNITED STATES 1 (PATENT OFFICE TRUMAN NOBLE, OF ITHACA, NEW YORK.

BINDER FOR LOOSE SHEETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 656,568, dated August21, 1900.

V Applicati n filed September 30, 1899- Serlal No. 782,194. (No model.)

T0 on whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, TRUMAN NOBLE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ithaca, in the county of Tompkins and State of New.

York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Binders forLoose Sheets,

of which the following is a specification.

My invention pertains to that class of bind-' ers or covers commonlyknown as loosesheet binders and designed to hold a number of sheets insuch manner as to permit the removal of a sheet or sheets in any part ofthe series without disturbing others.

The objects sought by the present invention are to give to the binderaudits contained sheets as nearly as possible the appea'ranci-Iiof apermanently-boundbook of ordinary'form,j to adapt the binder or cover tocontain as many sheets as are required to fill the space between the twolids or cover-boards, and

or the binder with it contained sheets opened and in condition forreceiving notes or permitting notes to be read; Fig. 2, a transversesectional view taken through one of the sheet-holders or bails; Fig. 3,a view of the binder without any sheets; Figs. 4: and 5, perspectiveviews of one of the sheet-holders or bails and the clip or plate whichcarries it, the latter being shown in two slightly-varying forms 5' Fig.6, a perspective view of one of the metal linings used in the sockets orrecesses formed in the cover-boards to receive the bails orsheet-holders Fig. 7, a view illustrating the manner of interlocking theends of the bail sections or members.

Loose-sheet binders have hitherto generally been constructed in one orthe other of two ways-first,with some sort of im paling orholding devicereaching across the space from cover to cover and requiring a bending'ofthe leaves or sheets to cause them to open out parallel with thecover-boards, or approximately so, and, second,with such holding orimpaling devices applied to one or the other cover-board ried asoccasion requires or fancy suggests,

and the back 0 may be stiffened to any extent desired and either madeflat and plain on the outside orfinished-to give the shape andappearance of common bindings.

Between the lids or covers A B and enough narrower than theintervening'space to leave room for the hinges orflexible connections isa strip D, of binders board orot-her suitable material, of the samethickness as the covers A B, or thereabout, thus making apracticallyuniforrn surface from one extremity of the cover to the'otherwhen the latter is opened out and laid fiat, as in Figs. 1 and 3. Priorto placing the strip D in position there is secured to each of its endsa metal clip or plate E, to each of which are pivoted the two member aand Z) of a bail or two-part metal loop F, upon which the leaves areheld in the manner illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. These bails or loopsare advisably made of metal wire of about the thickness of the strip Dand have each a U shape, so that when combined with their ends abuttingor interlocking they form rings of approximately-circular form, with aflattened side where they are attached to the clips or plate E. Toenable the members a b of the bails or loops to open widely apart, Iprefer to pivot each separately to the upturned end of the clip or plateE, the pivoted end portion of each member being split or having a kerfsawed in it to enable it to straddle said upturned end 0. The upper endsof said members a b are adapted to interlock or engage with each otherin any convenient manner.

In the drawings I have represented a construction which is well adaptedto the purpose and which I find it advantageous to adopt in practice. Asbest shown in Figs. A and 5, the member a has its end provided with aslot or recess d to receive the reduced end of member I), which latteris split or slitted for a considerable distance from its reduced strip Dmay be varied considerably.

end backward to permit the two branches to be pressed together and toallow them to spring apart again when relieved of pressure. The reducedend portion has a cavity or depression e made-in the side face of one ofits parts to receive a small spur or stud f, projecting inward from oneof the walls of cavity d, as seen in Fig. '7. By grasping the slittedmember between the fingers and pressing its parts together the recess 6is carried clear of spurf, and the members a and Z) may both beswungback upon their pivots, thusaffording a wide opening between them.The

bail and those on the other side thereof on the other bail a sheet orsheets may be removed or inserted from or at any point in the package.This is peculiarly advantageous for students in taking notes upondifferent topics or ofdifferent lectures, enabling them to arrange thesame consecutively, though not so taken in the first instance, and alsoto substitute corrected for incorrect pages.

The manner of securing the clips E to the In Fig. 4 I have shown theclip as having ears or spurs g struck up out of its body and adapted topass through or about the edges of strip D and to be bent down thereonto retain the clip in place. In Fig. 5 I have shown the .clip asperforated to receive an eyelet or a rivet h, by which to attach it tostrip D. Any simple mode of attachment may be adopted, those illustratedbeing found quite satisfactory in use.

It will be seen that if the thickness of the wire or'stock of which thebails or loops E are formed had to be deducted from the availablesheet-containing space the package of leaves would necessarily beconsiderably thinner than the space between the lids and the binderwould present an unsightly appearance, thicker at the back than at thefree edges of the lids with the binder closed. To obviate this, I recessthe covers or lids A B, as shown at Z, and to preserve the edges orwalls of the recesses, and particularly to prevent the bails frompushing through the recesses and forming protuberances on the outside, Iprovide these recesses with metal linings j, which may conveniently bemade of thin sheet metal in the form shown in Fig. 6. These linings,having lips or flanges to lie upon the inner surfaces of the lids orcovers, cannot be forced through and made to project beyond the outersurfaces of the boards constituting the covers A B, and yet they aproper seating of the bails therein.

preserve the form of the cavities and insure this simple arrangement Iovercome a difficulty that has existed in nearly or quite all priorloose-sheet binders designed or adapted to cause the sheets to lie flatwhen the binder is opened.

The strip D may be glued or otherwise secured to the back 0, and thelinings j may likewise be secured by cement or by spurs or lips bentover the edges or carried through the body of the boards or covers.Suitable linings or facings, of leather, woven fabric, or the like,carried over the strip D and over the lateral flanges or leaves of theliningsj will further secure them in place. Other means may of course beadopted to the same end.

Prominent and peculiar features of my construction, it will be seen,are: the sinking of the pivotal ends of the bail-sections below thecommon level of the boards A B and intervening strip D, the productionof a practically-continuous surface in common plane by the introductionof said strip D, the recessing of the boards to permit the bails orloops to sink thereinto to the thickness of the wire or stock of whichthey are composed, the placing of the bails entirely in or upon theback-section O wholly independent ofthe boards A and B and equidistantfrom the free edges thereof, the recessing of the covers or lids toreceive the bails, and the lining and strengthening of said recesses tomaintain their form and prevent the bails.

from pressing through the boards.

It will be seen that by reason of the peculiar construction hereinbeforeset forth I am enabled to fold either lid or cover at will entirely backflat against or beneath the other; lid and to carry the entire body ofloose sheets in acornpact mass from either lid over to the other whenthe lids are opened out in common plane or thrown back one against theother. This capability enables a stenographer or other person takingnotes to keep the book in a compact shape, to carry over leaves from oneto the other side as fast as they are Written, and to preserve at alltimes a perfectlyfiat writing-surface with a firm support beneath.

Having thus described my invention, I

1. A loose-sheet binder, comprising a flat back and lids or coversflexibly connected therewith, and separable bails or impalingwirescarried by the back and wholly unconnected with the lids or covers, saidbails when closed presenting a retaining portion as great in extent oneither side as the portion opposite the back, to permit the entirepackage of leaves to be carried toward and laid flat upon either lid orcover at will when the lids are opened apart or folded back.

2. A binder for loose sheets, having a rigid back, and lids or coversflexibly connected to said back and in common plane therewith on theirinner and outer faces when opened out flat; and bails or impalingdevices carried by the back and unaifected by the opening of the lids orcovers into plane with the back, but adapted to be separated at will.

3. In a binder for loose sheets, the combination of a back; lids orcovers flexibly connected therewith; a filling-strip applied to the backand serving to bring its inner face into plane with the lids or covers;and bails or impaling-wires presenting when closed a retaining portionas great in extent on either side as the portion opposite the back,whereby the binder is adapted to permit the entire package of sheets orleaves to be thrown into' flat-surface contact throughout with the backand either lid at will, when the binder is opened.

4:. In a binder for loose sheets, thecombination of a back; lids orcovers hinged to said back 3 a filling-piece applied to the back andserving to bring its inner face into plane with the inner faces of thelids or covers; and bails or impaling devices carried by the back andwholly independent of the lids or covers, said bails presenting whenclosed a retaining portion as great in extent on either side as theportion opposite the back, whereby all the contained sheets or leavesmay be thrown into flat-surface contact with either lid at will when thebinder is opened.

5. In a binder for loose sheets, the combination of aback; bails orimpaling devices carried thereby; and lids or covers flexibly connectedto the back and recessed to permit the bails to extend into them beyondthe plane or face of the main body of the cover, substantially asdescribed and shown.

6. In a binder for loose sheets, the combination of a rigid back; lidsor covers flexibly connected thereto; a filling-piece applied to theback to bring its inner face into plane with the lids or covers; andcurved bails or loops carried by said filling-strip and each comprisingtwo members adapted to be engaged and disengaged at their proximateends, said bails when closed presenting a retaining portion as great inextent on either side as the portion opposite the back, to permit theentire package of leaves or sheets held by them to be carried intoflat-surface contact with either lid at will, substantially as setforth.

7. In a binder for loose sheets, the combination of two lids or coversand an intervening back to which said covers are hinged having its innerand outer faces flush or in plane with the corresponding faces of thelids or covers when the latter are opened out flat; bails or impalingdevices carried by the back and wholly independent of the lids orcovers; and recesses formed in the lids or covers to accommodate thebails and permit the impaled leaves or sheets to come into surfacecontact with the lids or covers throughout.

8. In combination with the back 0 and lids or covers A, B, flexiblyconnected therewith and provided with recesses i, metal linings japplied to said recesses; and bails or impaling devices carried whollyby the back-section 0 and adapted to enter said recesses when the binderis closed and to withdraw therefrom when the binder is opened, withoutthereby opening the bails or impaling devices.

9. In a binder, the combination of a back; lids or covers flexiblyconnected thereto; clip or plate E carried by the back and having anupturned end; and interlocking impaling members a, b, independentlypivoted to the upturned end of said clip E, the bail formed by saidinterlocking members presenting a retaining portion as great in extenton either side as the portion opposite the back, substantially asdescribed and shown, whereby the leaves impaled thereon are adapted tolie flat upon the back and lids when the latter are opened outward.

10. The herein-described impaling or binding device, comprising a clipor plate E having an upturned end and provided with ears or spurs g, andwires or members a, b, inde pendently pivoted to the upturned end of theclip and having their ends adapted to interlock, substantially asdescribed and shown.

11. In a binder for loose sheets or leaves, the combination of a metalclip or plate having an upturned end; two curved bails each slotted andindependently straddling said upturned end, and independently pivotedthereto, said bails being adapted to receive and hold loose sheets orleaves and to have their free ends engaged one with the other,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. A binder comprising a back-section 0 provided with impaling orholding devices capable of movement and of separation independent of theback to permit the sheets to be divided or to be carried wholly toeither side of the point of separation; and lids or covers flexiblyconnected with the back-section, but wholly independent of the impalingdevices and provided with recesses into which the latter may enter whenthe cover is closed and from which they may withdraw without separationor opening.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

TRUMAN NOBLE.

Witnesses:

E. A. BUSH, HOWARD COBB.

